No Short Corners Archives for January 2011

We are falling deeper into the mineshaft of the 2011 MLS offseason. It's usually about this time -
maybe more around Christmas - that things feel the darkest, as most other world leagues are just
kicking into gear and we are left with a barren, windswept plain where our soccer once was. But
fear not, intrepid travelers, for into the breach I step.

I have decided (or realized, which ever came first) that I am over-tired and burnt. I need a little
breather, so I'm gonna be scarce this week. It's almost silly season again and I need my strength,
don't want to be caught napping then.Do not fear: Will has a big ol' MLS series planned and I still
have a few promised posts that I keep forgetting to spring on you after I'm recharged - including

MLS snuck this in on us just before Thanksgiving, so it deserves a look if you missed it. One
question: where can I get one of those snazzy Galaxy blazers? A few things going on this week worth
noting in the afterglow of the MLS Cup. The most notable is that PSG's Qatari oil magnates are
willing to pony up enough cash to double David Beckham's salary.

If, like me, you got so busy and blanked on the USWNT match against Sweden this weekend, no
worries. You can watch the entire match here (or just the highlights and reactions, if you
wish).Since I didn't know, I won't reveal anything about the result.- Greg Seltzer

Guess who forgot something last night. Oh well, gives me a chance to sneak in a Champions League
strike...Listen to how bored the Russian broadcast team had gotten with Real Madrid dominance by
the time Gonzalo Higuain tucked home this beauty against Dinamo Zagreb last night.Traveling back to
the international break, Nani lit the cannon to help Portugal punch their Euro2012 ticket against
Bosnia.

This post contains two options for the meaning of the title. Please pick your favorite and ignore
the other.Option #1 is additional info on Teal Bunbury's proposed visit to Bolton - and perhaps
also Newcastle. There now appear to be a few potential stumbling blocks that could nix the trip to
England.

The NextGen Series seeks to feature the premier youth teams of Europe. In effect, it showcases the
next generation - get it? - of European talent.If Rosenborg and Aston Villa's do-or-die Group 3
clash at Lerkendal Stadium is any indication, we have years of little Frank Lampards to look
forward to.

Sheesh. A couple more years and my silly season work will precede Christmas music at the mall. In
any event, I am here to drop a couple of quick tidbits, just to offer some needed clarity...First
off, allow me to clarify that the F-Word interest recently revealed by Chris Wondolowski is not
current. In fact, the Kakkerlakken had a bid for the San Jose ace rejected last winter.

Don't think you're getting away from our MLS Cup fracas that easy. #1 - I was not there. This guy
was. He has some thoughts. It did in fact rain in LA. That did happen. #2 - There has been some
rearranging of the deck furniture at ESPN. John Harkes was told his contract was not being renewed.
Into the void steps Taylor Twellman.

Ever think you'd see this? Our last Grinder of the year. A little wistful, a little sad. But I
suppose it's not all tears. For the folks in the blue and gold, anyway. Sorry Houston. Number four
will have to wait. It's finally LA's turn again. I've trawled the internets for some immediate
analysis from both supporters' sections, since the nerves are

Is anyone else sick of all the conjecture? Well, got some good news for you. It's finally here.
Every time I've been ready to crown LA this week, I keep harkening back to Dallas-Colorado last
year. The Hoops were fresh off a beating of the Galaxy while Colorado was the quintessential hot
November team.

Yep, Clarence Goodson buried the first goal of that game (and his first of the season) from an 18th
minute free kick and then marshaled the BrÃ¸ndby backline in a 2-1 win over FC Copenhagen that now
gives Michael Parkhurst's FC NordsjÃ¦lland a chance to cut into the league lead. Clip to come...-
Greg Seltzer

Let's kick of championship weekend with the 2011 Battle of the Year final, which is about to start
as I post. First, we will have popping/locking exhibitions, then we learn the finalists after
semifinal battles between Battle Born (USA) & 9 States (Japan) & favorites Vagabonds (France) v
TPEC (Taiwan).

No, Robbie Findley hasn't gone to market, he's hit the 1-1 equalizer near halftime for Nottingham
Forest. Unfortunately, visitors Ipswich have gone back ahead after the break, but perhaps the US
international has another strike in him today.Clip later... - Greg Seltzer

A deserving award for the second-half goal machine. And it's a fascinating case this year, probably
the strangest MVP we've ever had. What's interesting is how DeRo was discarded not once but twice,
first by hometown TFC and then by New York, who really needed Frank Rost (epic eye roll here) in
that DP spot.

It's a special MLS Cup edition of the Friday Five today, where we peer into the crystal ball to
explore whether Brad Davis' absence has unofficially put the kabash on Houston's chances, whether
Donovan has anything left to prove and if Jacob has the stones to pick against LA. Let's dive in,
shall we?

Fully aware that I owe one more Hope Solo dance marking, let's go around to the various US camps
(two of which are now closed) and I'll get to that some time this weekend. I've got other things
crack-a-lacking that have busied me. You will soon be happy about it...- Greg Seltzer

We've got some business to tend to since work caught up with me yesterday and I missed Seattle
Sounders Tuesday at the MLS awards bureau. But first... Nagbe??? Be still mine beating heart. Eric
Hassli was robbed I tells ya. Nagbe's goal gets a 9.1 on the Parchman-Richter goals scale. Hassli
gets like a 12.

First off, I didn't see Koman Coulibaly anywhere. So, good for... everyone supporting red white and
blue. The game was played in the midst of a bizarre fog bank that bathed the broadcast in an eerie
white sheen, and the visible breath condensation in the knife blade-cold air sort of gave off the
kind of bitter, November non-WC qualifying game this would turn out to be.

On the heels of the surprising dismissal of Steve Nicol, which is still sending a tremulous reverb
throughout the portion of New England that's left over from the bloodletting, we have Mr.
Revolution himself, Jay Heaps, riding into the soupy morass. Martin Rennie just got a drinking
buddy. Heaps of course is the Revs' career leader in appearances with 294, and he's now the
second-youngest

Alright, I promised a few tales from my trip, so let's get to it. Buckle up, it's a coaster
ride.The night before I have everything in place and ready, I get to sleep not quite as early as
I'd hoped, but certainly early enough. Everything had been settled and booked, and it looked like
smooth sailing.

Have had things popping on me all day, so the Paris gonzo is bumped again until tomorrow. For now,
let's do another one of these from my U-23 camp chat with Sebastian Lletget.On what the
Championship looks like up close:"I've never seen a second division like it. The pace is
ridiculous. Even if some players aren't as technically skilled, they make it up with their
endurance and drive.

We've got two awards on the docket today: comeback player of the year and coach of the year. And
finally we have our first controversy. We'll start with the easier COY, beginning with my selection
three months ago. Coach of the YearPiotr Nowak, PhiladelphiaIn the running: Robert Warzycha,
Schellas HyndmanNotes: Philly's eye-popping turnaround is the story of the league through July.

My first bit from U-23 camp dropped at MLSS last night. There's more to come, but I wanted to share
the things Tony Taylor said about club life that didn't make the final product.On whether the club
wants to make his loan permanent:The coach wants me to stay. I'm happy. I'm playing, the team is
winning.

Though not overly long, what a strange trip it's been. I will return to NSC-world tomorrow to gonzo
it up with the tales of my journey for you all, the highs and lows and misadventures and
macarons.Awesomeness sneak preview: Like me and Ian Joy, Charles Renken is an Imo's Pizza fiend.
That kid is my dude!

This week, with the MLS Cup still lingering off in the distance like a bored monolith, we take a
look at Don Garber's love for unloved announcements, why Jurgen Klinsmann is America's favorite
step dad and more. Assist maestro Brad Davis went down with a quad injury in the first half of
Houston's eventual 2-0 victory over SKC in the Eastern Conference Final last weekend.

There's a little something to be gained for both sides today. For France, a tuneup for a Euro
competition they (characteristically) barely qualified for, needing a late penalty conversion from
Samir Nasri against superpower Bosnia-Herzegovina to earn a 1-1 draw. For the US, they'd like some
confirmation against a talented side that Klinsmann's project is gaining steam.

So here was my initial prediction/explanation in August: Notes: It's unfortunate for Brad Davis
that Brek Shea plays his position, because his assist record is better than Beckham's. Tried
shoehorning him in there, but Becks gets the 11th hour selection over the field so far due to his
still-world class ability from free kicks and crosses.

Okay, so I'm not great at the flashy puns. Guess I'll leave those up to Greg. Omar Gonzalez's
career year (I said it) paved the way for his first MLS defender of the year honor, announced
today. He can add the piece to his growing mantle, which already includes an MLS rookie of the year
honor. He can add an MLS Cup trophy next week.

It's another week with two judged performances as our girl enters the top five, including one she
and her partner must put together receiving the music only 20 minutes beforehand. Hope claims this
is her sweet spot, with the pressure on like that. We shall see, but first there is the standard
weekly routine featuring a Quickstep.

So the kid doesn't just have fresh flows when Hope Solo drops into KC. Turns out he can ball, too.
As I'll do with the conclusion of each of these votes, here's a look back at my rookie of the year
ballot on August 3. Far, far before this thing was through. Rookie of the Year Will Bruin, Houston
In the running: Rich Balchan, A.

Filling some reader requests, once again back is the incredible...#1 - Quite wisely, Klinsi has let
Landon Donovan out of the USMNT travel party.#2 - Let me just get this out of the way, so it
doesn't wait until item five to annoy you with anticipation. I have some deluxe goodies of all
varieties coming soon at MLSS.

I was going to put this up earlier, but then... ya know... I noticed my bike was gone. Better late
than never, we have the first Atlante goal of Sonny Guadarrama (play of the foul leading to the
goal play starts at 1:18).And yes, that damn Lady Gaga song is ruthlessly stuck in my head today.
Bad Monday is more like it.

First off, big ups this week to J-Klinger, who correctly predicted Houston drowning out KC 2-0 -
even had a set piece goal right - and was only a goal off but hit the result dead on in LA's 3-1
triumph over RSL. Dude came quick with it in our Friday Five. I'll getcha next time, bud. Face it.
The Galaxy are supposed to be here.

AZ forward Jozy Altidore has applied the 83rd minute capper on a 3-0 win over ADO Den Haag.
Celebrating his birthday, the (now) 22-year old hypnotized two defenders and danced around the
keeper. I'll get the clip up as quickly as I can, you're gonna love it.And if you're keeping score,
that's four Eredivisie goals and eight overall as we near the 1/3 marker on the season.

AZ forward Jozy Altidore has applied the 83rd minute capper on a 3-0 win over ADO Den Haag.
Celebrating his birthday, the (now) 22-year old hypnotized two defenders and danced around the
keeper. I'll get the clip up as quickly as I can, you're gonna love it.And if you're keeping score,
that's four Eredivisie goals and eight overall as we near the 1/3 marker on the season.

If one is the loneliest number, what does that make zero? After Ajax drew away to Fenerbahce they
joined the imperfect mass that constitutes this year's NextGen field. Sporting and Tottenham remain
unbeaten, but perfection is now a thing of the past for all 16 tournament teams. Yet if anyone can
claim to have truly attained perfection it is Barcelona.

Jacob and I hatched a scheme for an intermittent Friday back-and-forth questionnaire on pressing
matters. With MLS playoffs roaring to a boil, we're putting the league's happenings on the block
today. For our inaugural Friday Five, we bring you our conference final edition. Marquez lovers,
progress no further.

First off, let me say that I do not wish for this to in any way seem like any commentary on or
campaign against Alfredo Morales. He is a promising young player that I would consider an obvious
Olympic choice. If he is going to play for the US and he is not eventually on that squad, I will be
shocked (or, theoretically, just dismayed that he's not fit).

I find it very odd how Klinsi keeps insisting that his camps allow him to 'explore and evaluate
everyone in the national team program' when it's basically always the same guys so far.We have no
Sacha Kljestan (for some wholly bizarre reason) and no Michael Parkhurst and again no natural left
back to speak of, but Michael Orozco Fiscal remains.

Let me show you the real reasons I like Landon Donovan, which have nothing to do with the soccer
skills he will take up against New York in their tie decider on Thursday night: the guy is honest
and he has an underrated propensity for not taking himself so seriously all the time. Considering
his position in the US soccer bubble for the last decade, I'd say those are real feats.

Here is new US Under-23 coach Caleb Porter's first group of 31. The most notable omission for me
would be Bill Hamid by a wide margin. Do note, that Josh Gatt will not be an active member of the
camp - he is still recovering from a hamstring injury and will be there for the team-building
aspects.And as we are now a 4-3-3 country, I've changed the "F" for forwards to an "A" for
attackers,

Had the top three angled, actually. Spooky...CLINT DEMPSEY WINS THE 2011 PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
PRESENTED BY FUTBOL DE PRIMERAHe won his first award in 2006. This time almost fifty percent of the
journalists voted for Dempsey in first place SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011) -
U.S. National Team forward Clint Dempsey, was chosen by 202 US journalists as the "2011 Player of
the

FYI: You have two days left to get your MLS W.O.R.K.S. Breast Cancer Awareness Auction bids in,
folks. And to me, several of these items remain in "quite the steal" range for game worns and
autographed jerseys from some fine players.- Greg Seltzer

After last week's excitement, a twist! Not only with the USMNT keeper tackle the samba for points,
there is also a team Pasodoble dance (I totally had to look that one up) with three pairings
together that will be judged and count like a regular partner performance. Yep, a double dip,on the
floor and the scorecard.

Being both true blue American and sorta Dutch-ified, I could retire like a rock star now if given a
buck for every fan I've had tell me how they'd love to have a real, live stake in a real club. If
only, if only.Well, it's time to put your money where your fantasy is, because Dutch second flight
side Cambuur SC have a proposition for anyone ready to live that wacky dream of professional soccer

Stay tuned to NSC tube for another episode of HopeTV later, plus word on a chance for you to become
an actual part-owner of an actual club you've heard of...Let's start with one to make you feel bad
if you don't get your motor revved this morning, a wild ride thanks to Milan PetrÅ¾ela of FC
Viktoria PlzeÅˆ (a team NSC pal Phil Schoen digs).